Education

Electrical Training Institute Smart Microgrid SystemCommerce, CA

Intelligent Designs Energize Students and Sustainability

Gausman & Moore designs help ensure electrical systems are smarter, more reliable, and more sustainable.

Contracted by Pacific Data Electric (PDE) Total Energy Solutions, Gausman & Moore designed a smart microgrid to charge electric vehicles at the Electrical Training Institute (ETI) in Commerce, CA. The microgrid system optimizes the use of renewable and low-cost sources, while ensuring reliable charging, even during peak demand periods.

Gausman & Moore is also engineering the complete replacement of the training facility’s lighting, shifting from existing fluorescent, incandescent and metal halide fixtures to a new LED type. The controls are being modified to incorporate occupancy sensors, dimming controls, and daylight harvesting. The lighting changes, in addition to HVAC upgrades and a new 124kW PV system and microgrid that Gausman & Moore designed, contributed to making the facility Net Zero Energy Plus.

At the microgrid system’s center, bi-directional inverters integrate multiple DC sources. Based on demand, the inverters can charge vehicles by pulling energy reliably from up to five sources, with the objective of providing the most energy-efficient solution available at any given time:

With our ongoing commitment to continuing education, G&M is particularly proud that this installation resides in an institution that educates future electricians. Through the microgrid project, ETI students can experience how an existing infrastructure integrated with advanced electronics and controls will provide a platform for more energy efficient and reliable electrical systems. The smart microgrid will help reduce C02 emissions, and decrease demand on regional electrical generation, transmission, and distribution systems.